What does America mean to Caleb? Freedom, honor, and a whole lot more

To me, America is more than just a country. It means freedom, liberty, and honor.

That’s how Caleb Vergara Scott began the nearly 308-word essay he wrote for a contest celebrating the 250^th anniversary of the United States. The topic: What does America mean to him?

He summed it up with his title: America the Great.

Caleb, 11, who lives with his family in Naples and receives a Florida educational choice scholarship managed by Step Up For Students, placed first among middle-schoolers in the competition sponsored by the City of Naples.

He received a $250 prize, a $50 gift certificate, and a book about the history of Naples. But Caleb didn’t enter the contest for the prizes. He entered because he had something to say.

“I love my country,” he said.

Both sides of his family fled their respective homelands for America in search of freedom and liberty. His mother’s side emigrated from Cuba around the turn of this century. His dad’s ancestors came from Scotland after the failed Jacobite rising in 1745. They had sided with the English and were escaping persecution.

Caleb said at least one of his dad’s ancestors fought for America in every conflict since the War of 1812.

Caleb’s dad, Galen, retired after 20 years in the Marine Corps. Caleb’s stepbrother served four years in the Marines.

Caleb plans to enlist in the Marines after high school, then enter law school after his hitch.

“I look up to my dad, and I wanted to be just like him and fight for my country,” Caleb said. “I want to be a Marine like him and defend America.”

After defending his country, Caleb wants to become a lawyer and “continue supporting our country's judicial system and human rights,” he wrote in his essay.

Caleb said it didn’t take him long to write the essay. Once he began, the words began to flow.

He started with the story of his mother, Lis, and her family:

“My grandmother came from the country, Cuba, because she wanted a better future for her daughter. The reason for that is because in Cuba there is no freedom, liberty, or abundance of natural resources, so they migrated here for a better future.”

Caleb’s grandparents won a lottery for a visa to America, arriving just after Sept. 11, 2001, and settled in Miami. Lis was 12.

He transitioned to his dad’s ancestors and their flight from political turmoil:

“I have learned that freedom is very important. My dad sacrificed 20 years of his life as a United States Marine. He served during two American conflicts. They're called Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Due to the pursuit of freedom, many of his friends didn't make it home. This is why freedom means everything to me and my family.

“Currently, we're free, thanks to democracy and heroes like my dad and his friends. We enjoy the freedom of choosing religion and get to pick our career path. There is no place like America in the world. There is equality and same opportunities regardless of race, gender, and religion.”

“He’s been raised around that lifestyle, so I knew about his plans, but I didn't know that he was so deep into what America meant to him,” Lis said. “You raise your kids, you talk to them, but you don't really realize how much influence you have on their lives.”

Caleb is accomplished in taekwondo, having recently earned a black belt. He’s won several national and international competitions and has competed in tournaments across the United States.

That's his second love.

His first is his country.

America celebrates its 250^th birthday this July 4. To Caleb and his family, the day is more than a holiday filled with parades, barbecues, ice cream, and fireworks.

It’s a time to celebrate the anniversary’s true meaning.

Freedom. Liberty. Honor.

What does America mean to Caleb?

“Everything,” he said.

Roger Mooney, manager, communication, can be reached at [email protected].